It is an
important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments.
The botanical name for Rasna is Pluchea lanceolata which belongs to the
Asteraceae family. It is also called as Yuka in Ayurveda.
Sankrit – Sugandhmula
Assamese – Khulanjaana
Bengali – Kulanjan
English – Greater galangal
Hindi – Kulanjan
Kannada – Dhoomraasmi
Malayalam – Aratta
Marathi – Kulinlan
Tamil – Arattai, Sittarattai
Telugu – Dumparaastramu
This plant is widely found in Punjab.
Upper Gangetic plains, Rajasthan and Gujarat. It is a perennial herb, which grows at the height of
30-60 cm. The stem and branches are slender and soft pubescent. Leaves are 2-6
cm in length and look sessile, oblong. Flowers are 3.5mm in diameter which is
purple in color and ovoid in shape and it is arranged like corymbs. Roots are
3-20 mm in diameter, and 10-20 inches in length. When it is young the outer
surface will be white and it turns into light to dark brown once it gets
matured. Usually, the flower starts to appear from March to August.
Parts used: Leaf, Rhizome
Taste: Bitter
Potency: Hot
On
chemical compound analysis of Rasna, it includes
Pluchine, quercetin, quercitrin, isorhamnetin,
hesperidin, taxifolin-3-arabinoside, formononetin-7-O-glucoside, diadzein,
5,7-dihydroxy-8-isobutylflavone, β-sitosterol, β-sitosterol glucoside,
β-Amryrin, β-amyrin acetate, taraxasterol acetate, stigmasterol acetate,
stigmasterol, sorghumol, boehmerol, moretenol, neolupenol, neolupeol, pluchoic
acid, phenol, ascorbic acid, phloroglucinol, chlorogenic acid, indole
alkaloids, n-tridecanyl-n-octadecanoate, n-nonadecanol, pleuchioside,
monoacetylpleuchioside, 3-oxo-pleuchioside, pleuchiol, monoacetyl pleuchiol,
3-oxo-pleuchiol, nonacosane, hepatacosane, hentriacontane.
ACTIONS:
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-arthritic
Neurological
Antimalarial
Anti-asthmatic
Immunosuppressive
Immunostimulating
Antibiotic
Antipyretic
The paste produced from the rhizome is
applied to the affected area to treat joint pain
The decoction produced from the rhizome
used to treat indigestion, abdominal pain, and fever
The cold-infusion obtained from the leaves
or rhizome is used in the treatment of asthma and cough
It also effective against the plant poison
The leaf and rhizome paste applied to the
affected area to reduce the pain and inflammation
The decocotion of rasna act as a blood
purifier
The plant of this herb is used in the
treatment of bronchitis, psoriasis, cough, and piles
The plant has antipyretic, analgesic,
dyspepsia, rheumatoid arthritis, bitter, laxative, and nerve toxic effect
The roots have an antipyretic, bitter,
laxative effect
The decoction obtained from the plant is
used to treat neurological disorders
The
dose of the drug used according to the physician
Powder:
5-6g
Decoction:
40-50ml
Less
information is available regarding the use of this herb in patients who are
pregnant and breastfeeding. Before taking this herb kindly consult with the
doctor
Do
not use this herb if you are allergic to the chemical constituents of rasna
Rheumatoid
arthritis:
According
to Ayurveda, Rheumatoid arthritis is called Amavata. It mainly occurs due to
the imbalance of Vata dosha and the accumulation of toxins that occurs due to
improper digestion and this toxin is carried to different parts of the body
through Vata and gets accumulated in the joints. The use of rasna
helps to improve digestion and reduce the accumulation of toxins by its hot
properties. This also balances the Vata and reduces the symptoms associated
with rheumatoid arthritis.
Take the required amount of dried rasna
leaves in 2 cups of water and allow it to boil until it reduces into half an
amount. This is called decoction. Filter the water and take it after your
meals. Use this remedy to reduce the symptoms associated with rheumatoid
arthritis
Osteoarthritis:
According
to Ayurveda, Osteoarthritis is called Sandhivata and it occurs due to the
imbalance of Vata dosha which causes pain, inflammation, and joint movement.
The use of rasna helps to reduce the symptoms of arthritis by balancing the
imbalance of Vata dosha
Take the required amount of rasna powder
as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor. Take it with lukewarm water.
Use this remedy to get relief from the symptoms of osteoarthritis
Cough
and cold:
According to Ayurveda, cough and cold
occur due to the imbalance of Kapha. The use of rasna helps to treat cough and
cold by releasing the mucus from the air passages and make the people breathe
easily without any obstruction by balancing Kapha
Bronchitis:
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda,
bronchitis occurs due to the imbalance of Vata and Kapha doshas which causes a
blockage in the air passage and leads to bronchitis. The use of rasna helps to
balance the Vata and Kapha by clearing the blockage from the ait passage and
treat bronchitis
Modern view: Due to its anti-inflammatory
property it helps to reduce the inflammation of the air passages
Piles:
Due to its laxative effect, it helps to
treat constipation which is responsible for increasing the symptoms of piles
and helps to reduce the symptoms of piles
Fever:
According to Ayurveda, fever occurs due to
the accumulation of toxins in the body due to improper digestion. The use of
rasna helps to reduce fever by reducing the accumulation of toxins in the body
by improving digestion.
Diabetes:
According to Ayurveda, diabetes occurs due
to the accumulation of toxins in the body by improper digestion. The use of
rasna helps to reduce the blood sugar level by decreasing the accumulation of
toxins in the body by its hot potency
Asthma:
According to Ayurveda, asthma occurs due
to the imbalance of Kapha. The use of rasna helps to clear the excess mucus in
the lungs and make the patient breathe easily
Joint
pain:
According to Ayurveda, bones and joints
come under the Vata site in the body so joint pain occurs due to the imbalance
of Vata doshas. By applying the rasna paste or oil on an affected area helps to
reduce the pain by balancing Vata
The Rasa comes in various
formulations includes
Rasna
decoction:
Take the required amount of dried rasna
leaves in 2 cups of water and allow it to boil until it reduces into half an
amount. This is called decoction. Filter the water and take it after your
meals. Use this remedy to reduce the symptoms associated with rheumatoid
arthritis
Rasna
Powder:
Take the required amount of rasna powder
as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor. Take it with lukewarm water.
Use this remedy to get relief from the symptoms of osteoarthritis
Rasna
leaves oil:
Take the required amount of rasna leaves oil and mix
it with sesame oil. Massage the oil on an affected area before going to bed.
Use this remedy to treat arthritis pain
Is Rasna oil
available in the market?
Yes,
it is available in the market and it can be brought from online websites or
ayurvedic medical stores.
How to store rasna
oil?
It
should be stored in an airtight container and keep the medicines away from the
heat and light and Do not keep the medicines reaching out
to children
Can we use rasna leaves on hair?
Yes, the use of rasna leaves on hair helps to
increase hair growth and it also helps to improve the circulation of blood in
roots of hair that improve the growth of hair.